US: DoJ “open” to T-Mobile 5G argument for Sprint merger

T-Mobile US’s proposed merger with Sprint may be getting closer to approval from the US Department of Justice (DOJ). According to a report from Fox Business, Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division Makan Delrahim is “open” to the companies’ argument that the merger would help the US compete in the global race to lead 5G.

Delrahim’s apparent willingness to be persuaded by the central argument made by company executives is seen as a positive development in favor of the deal receiving regulatory approval, people with direct knowledge of the matter told Fox. The DOJ and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must both approve the merger.

People close to Delrahim told Fox Business that the antitrust chief has not made up his mind on the transaction, and a formal decision could be months away. This leaves the chance for new factors to also persuade him to move against approving the merger. A DOJ antitrust spokesman had no comment.

T-Mobile stated said in late February that it still expects to get regulatory approval for the takeover of Sprint by the end of June. However, the FCC again suspended its review of the deal in early March to collect more information; it’s expected to resume the clock on its deadline in early April.

_